Foundation stone laid for Rs.1,050cr redevelopments of Ernakulam Junction, Ernakulam Town and Kollam stations
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has laid the foundation stone for the Rs.1,950 crore Phase–II stretch of the Kochi Metro rail project from JLN stadium to Infopark, having a length of 11.2 km and covering 11 stations.
The proposed Phase II corridor of the Kochi Metro Rail Project is aimed at catering to the growing transportation needs of Kochi City and is planned in such a way that it connects the District Headquarters, Special Economic Zone and IT Hub of the city with the existing metro rail network, Modi said on 1 Sept 2022.
He has laid the foundation stone for the Rs.1,050 crore redevelopment of three railway stations in Kerala – Ernakulam Junction, Ernakulam Town and Kollam.
These railway stations will be equipped with state-of-the-art amenities and world-class facilities such as dedicated arrival, departure corridors, skywalks, solar panels, sewage treatment plants, energy-efficient lighting, rain-water harvesting and intermodal transport facilities.
He also inaugurated the Rs.700 crore Phase I extension of the Kochi Metro Rail Project from Petta to SN junction. Kochi Metro Rail project will be one of the most sustainable metro projects in the country with nearly 55% of its energy needs being met by solar power.
The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation, the doubling of the Kuruppanthara-Kottayam-Chingavanam rail section, completed at the cost of nearly Rs.750 crore. With this, the entire stretch from Thiruvananthapuram to Mangaluru is fully doubled, promising faster and seamless connectivity.
Modi also dedicated to the nation the newly electrified rail section between Kollam – Punalur.
“Impetus-led development is taking place in the entire country when it comes to transport and urban development,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister said that more than 500 km of Metro routes have been laid in the country and work on the new route of more than 1,000 km is taking place rapidly.
“We are completely transforming Indian Railways. Today, railway stations in the country are also being developed like airports,” Modi added.
He also highlighted that different infrastructure projects worth Rs.1 lakh crore are taking place in Kerala.
“From agriculture to industries, this modern infrastructure will create new employment opportunities in Kerala. The central government is giving a lot of emphasis on the connectivity of Kerala.
“Our government is also converting National Highway (NH) 66, which is called the lifeline of Kerala, into 6 lanes. More than Rs55,000 crore are being spent on this.”
He listed out various incentives for entrepreneurship in the tourism sector, pointing out that more than Rs.70,000 crore have been given to lakhs of small entrepreneurs as a helping hand. fiinews.com
